updated 05:19 am EST, Fri January 31, 2014

Change to booting will minimize visibility of Metro Start Screen

The incoming update to Windows 8.1 could see the operating system load to desktop by default, according to a report. Though Windows 8.1 gives the user the option to boot to the desktop instead of the Start Screen, by making the desktop the initial view, it appears to be a far greater attempt at appeasing users who dislike the Metro user interface style by minimizing the amount of time it is visible.

Sources ofThe Verge claim the change is occurring in order to "improve the OS for keyboard and mouse users," away from the touchscreen-based usage Windows 8 introduced and Windows 8.1 continued, though it will not remove the existence of the Start Screen and Metro entirely. Earlier leaked changes, such as adding Metro apps to the taskbar and improved Start Screen contextual menus, are also said to be implemented for the same reason, though claims of reducing the memory and disk space requirements appears to be aimed more at Windows tablets rather than desktops and notebooks.

It is believed that Microsoft will release the Windows 8.1 update on the 11th of March, though earlier rumors suggested it would ship sometime during the Microsoft Build 2014 conference in early April.